News and Features - February 2010

Loveland's Miss Valentine, Hillary Skeffington, presents Gonvor Bill Ritter with an early Valentine during her visit to the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb 10.

John Rodgers, Sara Rodgers and Brooke-Lynn Abalos, 2, sit atop one of the inflatables Thursday at Monkey Moe's Playhouse, 575 Denver Ave. which they opened last August. The hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.

John Rodgers, Sara Rodgers and Brooke-Lynn Abalos, 2, sit atop one of the inflatables Thursday at Monkey Moe's Playhouse, 575 Denver Ave. which they opened last August. The hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.

Youngsters play together Thursday afternoon at Monkey Moe's Playhouse, 575 Denver Ave. in Loveland. At rear is Brooke-Lynn Abalos, 2, and front from left are Jaedyn Krager, 2, Jayden Bruce, 3, and Makayla Krager, 4.

Three-year-old Jayden Bruce rolls around in the plastic balls while playing at Monkey Moe's Playhouse, 575 Denver Ave. on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010.

Teams compete in an elimination match during the VEX Robotics Championship on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010 at Berthoud High School. From left are Tyler Parker, 15, and Nick Coulter, 17, of Grandview High School and Gavin Stewart, 15, and Harry Houlton, 14, of Loveland High.

Thirteen-year-old Bryan Montero of Estes Park uses his Nintendo DSi to take pictures of robots competing in the VEX Robotics Championship on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010 at Berthoud High School. Bryan said he hoped to join a team to compete in a future event and that his favorite robot was the 15C entry from Loveland High School's Team Loveland.

Thirteen-year-old Bryan Montero of Estes Park uses his Nintendo DSi to take pictures of robots competing in the VEX Robotics Championship on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010 at Berthoud High School. Bryan said he hoped to join a team to compete in a future event and that his favorite robot was the 15C entry from Loveland High School's Team Loveland.

Tanner O'Leary of Berthoud High School's robotics team Heavy Metal changes out the batteries on his team's robot during an elimination match competition for the VEX Robotics Championship on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010 at BHS.

Members of Berthoud High School's robotics team Heavy Metal react after winning their semi-final elemination match during the VEX Robotics Championship on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010 at BHS. From left are Emily Birkmaier, 18, Jon Neuhalfen, 15, Clayton Rayment, 14, and Tanner O'Leary, 16.

Loveland resident Nicolle Gregg sits for one last time Wednesday behind the wheel of the car she donated recently to Project Self-Sufficiency and was given to Marlana Rivers who looks on with her 2-year-old son, Ryan Witman. When Gregg donated the car she didn't have a chance to say goodbye to it and was happy to meet the car's new owner and also say farewell to her faithful companion for 10 years.

Marlana Rivera holds her son, Ryan Witman, 2, while chatting with Nicolle Gregg after they met for the first time Wednesday at Project Self-Sufficiency in Loveland where Gregg recently donated her 10-year-old Saturn car, seen at rear, to the program and Rivera became its new owner.

Churchgoers mingle between Sunday services at Crossroads Church. A study done by Group Publishing found that people are using church less and less for meeting friends. Other draws like social media and sports bars have replaced it as potential meeting places for friends.

Loveland Fire and Rescue Department personnel work the scene of a house fire Wednesday at 1909 W. 24th St. in west Loveland.

Chip Hayden, left, and Bob Starck of Johnstown peruse the showroom at Thunder Mountain Harley Davidson on Tuesday. Engaging Loveland is exploring whether the Thunder in the Rockies motorcycle rally can be held in downtown.

Master Technician Adrian Morin of Thunder Mountain Harley Davidson works on a motorcycles on Tuesday. Engaging Loveland is exploring the viability of holding the Thunder in the Rockies motorcycle rally in downtown Loveland.

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Loveland Police Sgt. Rae Bontz walks up to Custom Goldworks, 225 E. 10th St. where the department was investigating a theft Tuesday afternoon.

Berthoud High School freshman Jessica Wilcox, 15, cheers "more power to the hour" with the cheerleading squad during the first half of Tuesday night's girls basketball game against Thompson Valley High School. The Spartans fell to the Eagles XXX-XXX during the home game.

Loveland Valentine Re- mailing Program volunteer Susie Sermersheim shows off the mascot "Addie May" dressed in a cappucino delight outfit Monday during the kick off of the program. Sermersheim's sister Debbie Cate, also a volunteer, made the mascot and makes different outfits for her. She also has hand crafted Valentine vest for many of the volunteers.

Traffic backs up for northbound motorists on South College Avenue on Monday just south of West Trilby Road. An Accident which happened just before 5 p.m. slowed traffic in both directions while crews worked to clear the scene.

First-graders from Shannon Lotz' class at Saint John the Evangelist School, from left, Roni Hennessey, 7, Mackenzie Love, 6, Keaton Stroh, 7, Gage Delich, 6, and Hunter Stansbury, 6, fill bags with decorations and party supplies on Monday at the school. The gift bags, filled with cake, frosting, decorations and just about everything needed for a child's birthday party, will be delivered to the House of Neighborly Service and given to parents who aren't able to provide the necessary items for their child's party.

A box of Valentines that are stamped and ready to be delivered to the post office will be sent to folks around the world.